There’s no better time than now to work on touching up your resume. If you’re serious about finding a new job or switching careers, this will be the first thing a potential employer sees. Because of the economy, there are a plethora of applicants racing to the finish line. It’s time to rise above the competition.
If you aren’t getting any bites, you might actually be sabotaging your resume without realizing it. Here’s how.
1. Listing Irrelevant Experience
Preparing a resume can be a daunting task. So much so that it’s easy to take the most recent copy and just change the dates or a little information. That’s a no-no.
Outdated material stands out among savvy employers. They hone in on what skills you can bring to the table. So, if you’re applying for a receptionist position, don’t highlight that you worked on an assembly line 10 years ago. Potential employers may just skip your resume and move on to the next one.
2. Being Too Generic
When a resume is too plain, employers think you didn’t put any time or effort into it. This is a sign that maybe you aren’t a self-starter or don’t bring any ingenuity to the table.
Don’t use online templates to create your resume. Use keywords prevalent to the position to really stand out! Get a little creative and keep your information succinct and to the point.
3. Submitting With Your Smartphone
If you have a busy on-the-go lifestyle, it can seem easier to just work on your existing resume through your phone. That could spell trouble.
Not all software programs are compatible with each other, which can leave a trail of errors in your wake that won’t always show up on your end. Take the time to get in front of a computer with updated programs. It’ll be easier to spot formatting issues and spelling errors and give you a clearer picture of what exactly is being sent.
4. Not Double Checking Your Own Work
Everyone knows spell check is essential before submitting anything to a potential employer. But make sure you carefully read over your resume and fact-check it properly is equally important.
If you’re changing out old information or updating new, be sure you didn’t accidentally leave incorrect info on the resume. Mistakes do happen. A discombobulated sentence or reference to how you worked a job in 2041, vs. 2014, could cost you the job.
5. Lack of Company Knowledge
Just as you should before an interview, make sure you know a bit about the company you are applying to. Take time to review their website and learn all you can.
Knowing who the power players in the company are can also help. Who is their CEO or owner? Who runs their human resources department?
Try to understand what the company creates and their overall mission, too. This will help you mold your CV and resume accordingly.
There are so many things that can go wrong when preparing a resume, but there are just as many that can go right, too. Polish your CV so it not only stands out but gives any potential employers a glimpse into who you are as a person. Your resume should mirror who you are and what you bring to the table. Getting a callback is your golden ticket, so make that resume shine!
